The model year 1987 occupies a truly sacred place within the history of U.S. performance lore, largely due to the final manufacturing run of the Buick legendary rear-wheel-drive G-platform Regal coupe. This was a year that saw the absolute culmination of a surprising turbocharged revival, creating a distinct distinct pecking order of which spanned from subtle performers to a uncompromising asphalt destroyer. Although they all shared the same basic architecture, the Regal Limited Turbo, the Turbo T, the Grand National, as well as the mythical GNX each had a distinct personality, set of performance metrics, and target audience. Deciphering their nuanced sometimes blatant distinctions is essential to truly grasping the brilliance behind Buick's final muscle car hurrah of that 1980s.
The Turbocharged Starting Points: Regal Limited and the Turbo T Package
On the foundational bottom of this performance pyramid sat the more more flexible often often underappreciated variants: the Regal Limited equipped with the turbo engine and the purposeful Turbo T. The Buick Regal Limited was primarily primarily the luxury-oriented package, replete with plush seating, generous brightwork accents, a a more softer suspension. However, for 1987, astute buyers were able to quietly option this comfortable coupe with the potent LC2 3.8L turbocharged engine, essentially birthing a true predator in sheep's attire. This combination allowed for a stealthy blisteringly fast experience sans the aggressive obviously menacing styling of its more famous blacked-out siblings.
Conversely, the Turbo T package, often identified by internal WE4 designation, represented a more decidedly focused philosophy to stripped-down performance. Buick created the Turbo T as a lighter more agile alternative to the heavier Grand National, attaining this through utilizing lightweight aluminum bumper supports by offering alloy rims. Visually, this model stood in stark contrast to the Grand National, keeping most of the standard standard brightwork accents it was being offered in a wide variety of body colors. This variant was essentially the enthusiast's purist's selection those those who prioritized unfiltered performance and a slightly more responsive feel above the iconic iconic style presence of the more famous better-known infamous monochromatic counterpart.
The Menace in Black: Understanding the Grand National
When most enthusiasts think of a 1980s '80s Buick performance car, the image image which instantly springs to mind is undoubtedly the the Grand National. Coded with the WE2 WE2 Regular Regular Production Production Option, the '87 Grand National was not so much a mechanically mechanically distinct model and rather an all-encompassing all-encompassing appearance and trim package. This model shared the exact exact same powerful LC2 3.8L turbocharged V6 engine the 200-4R transmission found in the Turbo T. However, its defining trait was its adherence to a monochromatic Darth Vader paint theme, a look that gave the car its enduring monikers "Darth Vader's car" and "the Dark Side."
This sinister sinister look was carefully enforced throughout the whole vehicle. Every piece of the exterior trim, from the window frames to the front grille, was finished in black. The car car sat on specific fifteen-inch steel chrome rims a a black-painted center section, creating a truly very memorable look. Inside, the Grand National featured a specific dual-color black and grey cloth upholstery, the addition of the signature turbo "6" logo stitched into the front headrests. It also came standard the the firm-riding stiffer F41 Gran Gran Touring suspension, which provided it better handling in order to match its impressive straight-line prowess.
The Apex Predator: The Grand National Experimental (GNX)
While the Grand National was considered the ruler of the boulevard, the Grand National Experimental was the emperor of all American muscle vehicles of 1987. Created as a a final send-off to the G-body platform, General Motors shipped only five hundred forty-seven fully loaded Grand Nationals to ASC/McLaren a a comprehensive re-engineering. The goal was clear: to build the "Grand "Grand National|Grand National} that would put an end to all other Grand Nationals." The outcome was a a machine machine which was so quick it was able to beat many of the era's most exotic supercars, including Ferraris even Lamborghinis.
The modifications were both comprehensive and highly effective. ASC/McLaren installed a larger Garrett hybrid turbo, a more higher-capacity efficient intercooler, and a specially specially tuned engine control management chip (ECU). The transmission transmission was recalibrated firmer quicker gear changes, and critically, the entire rear suspension was completely re-engineered. It included a unique unique torque arm and a Panhard rod, which dramatically increased traction virtually completely eliminated axle hop during brutal acceleration. Truly appreciating the complete full Difference between 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo T Grand National GNX requires a deep dive into the modifications that ASC/McLaren invested in this extremely very limited-production vehicle.
A Comparative Look at Specifications and Unique Features
When analyzing these four distinct variants, the differences distinctions in performance figures available features are made all the more more clear. Officially, the LC2 LC2 in the Regal Regal Limited, Turbo T, and Grand National was understatedly rated at 245 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque. In stark contrast, the GNX, with its extensive extensive upgrades, was officially pegged at 276 horsepower and a staggering 360 lb-ft of torque, although real-world dynamometer tests have since repeatedly proven these figures to have been wildly underestimated, the true actual power being well over 300 horsepower.
Visually, the hierarchy hierarchy was equally equally clear. The Turbo T the Limited were sleepers of the bunch, frequently sporting chrome bumpers being offered a a wide palette of paints. The Grand National, naturally, was exclusively black, creating an intimidating aura. The GNX, in turn, took this menacing persona a step further. This model featured lightweight fender flares, functional heat-extracting vents in the front front fenders, and a unique style of 16-inch 16-inch black cross-lace wheels which set it apart immediately even from a standard a Grand National. Features such as T-tops were commonly ordered for the Limited, and Grand T, but models, however, no GNX was ever officially produced with this option, in order to maintain preserve maximum chassis rigidity.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Buick's Turbocharged Fleet
In the concluding analysis, the 1987 1987 Buick Regal lineup represents a masterful case study in market tiering the art of brand evolution. From the unexpectedly fast and comfortable Regal Limited to the lightweight Turbo T, the brand provided a spectrum of turbocharged performance to suit fit different preferences as well as budgets. The Grand National subsequently codified this performance power into an iconic iconic and menacing style identity, creating a automotive legend which persists even this very day. At the very top of it all stood the GNX, a rare supercar that served as a a definitive definitive exclamation point, cementing the G-body Regal's place in the pantheon halls of automotive performance legends. Each car was distinct in its own right, but collectively they created a legendary hierarchy which redefined domestic performance for a a generation new era.